Oscars 2017: Nominations & Likely Winners

Another year has gone by and the Academy awards season is in full swing, bringing with it as much excitement as outrage amongst the audience. Excitement in the form of nominations which were announced recently and backlash for snubbing probable winners (Amy Adams, Ryan Reynolds). Unlike last two or three years where it was easy to predict the results considering there wasn’t stiff competition, this year has multiple nominees worthy of the Oscar trophy.

Oscar Winners 2017: Full List

So here go the nominations and our prediction of the likely winners for Oscars 2017 along with those who deserve:

1) Best Foreign Language Film

A Man Called Ove
Land of Mine
Tanna

The Salesman
Toni Erdmann

Likely Winner: A Man Called Ove
Deserving Winner: Toni Erdmann

Picking a winner when you have two equally excellent films is always a tough call. But taking into consideration that the Academy has always been tender to films depicting unheard stories of the elderly (Amour, for instance), Toni Erdmann is certainly going to lose the award to A Man Called Ove. Despite being the most raved foreign language film worldwide. And for featuring the unparalleled, hilarious nude scene filmed ever.

2) Best Documentary Feature

OJ: Made in America
Fire at Sea
Life, Animated

I am not your Negro
The 13th

Likely Winner: OJ: Made in America
Deserving Winner: OJ: Made in America

OJ: Made in America is the safest bet this Oscar season for the reason that it’s an entirely different beast. Look at some of the Oscar-winning documentary films. Man on Wire, Amy, Citizen Four. They conveyed stories that were important to be told and about which people had no information. OJ: MIA recounted the story of an individual (OJ Simpson) that a lot of people were already aware of. But there lied its beauty as no film ever was so elaborate (eight-hour long duration) and insightful in etching a life story on celluloid.

3) Best Animated Feature Film

Kubo and the Two Strings
My Life as a Zucchini
Moana

The Red Turtle
Zootopia

Likely Winner: Kubo and the Two Strings
Deserving Winner: Zootopia

2016 was an excellent year for the animation industry. We had half-a-dozen films which were both refreshing and entertaining for kids and adults alike. Of the nominated five, the contest is primarily between Moana, Kubo and the Two Strings and Zootopia. Laika’s Kubo, which comprised a dark, thrilling story topped with incredible visual effects, might win it. But it misses out the heart and hilariousness of Disney’s Zootopia, which also encompassed mature themes.

Recommended: 10 Best Animation Movies Of 2016, Ranked

4) Best Original Screenplay

Damien Chazelle – La La Land
Kenneth Lonergan – Manchester by the Sea

Taylor Sheridan – Hell or High Water
Yorgos Lanthimos, Efthymis Filippou – The Lobster
Mike Mills – 20th Century Women

Likely Winner: Damien Chazelle – La La Land
Deserving Winner: Damien Chazelle – La La Land

Novelty and originality are a rarity these days as films are often derivative. All the nominees not only came up with fresh ideas but also crafted fine stories out of them. Kenneth Lonergan and Taylor Sheridan, in particular, did a splendid job in their respective projects. But it’s Damien Chazelle who nailed it to the hilt. Chazelle not only rejuvenated the good-old charm of musicals but the land of dreams itself aka Hollywood.

La La Land Review: Restores Your Faith In True Love

5) Best Adapted Screenplay

Eric Heisserer – Arrival

Barry Jenkins, Tarell McRaney – Moonlight
Luke Davies – Lion
August Wilson – Fences

Allison Schroeder, Theodore Melfi – Hidden Figures

Likely Winner: August Wilson – Fences
Deserving Winner: Barry Jenkins, Tarell McRaney – Moonlight

August Wilson’s nomination made it clear that the Academy doesn’t want to let go the opportunity of rewarding a late great artist. However the deserving fellas are Barry Jenkins and Tarell McRaney. They adapted the story (In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue) and wonderfully metamorphosed it into an engrossing screenplay. Segregated into three acts, the film was deeply affecting with broad character development and a masterfully written climax.